The shooting of pigeons is the keeper's special feather-sport--he is
always on the spot to take advantage of favourable circumstances. It
goes on in summer as in winter, and remembering the tremendous amount
of damage done to pea-fields, corn crops and roots by pigeons, there
is a justification for this shooting which cannot be urged in favour
of pheasant-shooting. The keeper understands the sport. He knows the
pigeons' habits and feeding times, and that concealment is the secret
of success. Lying at ease on the ground, with his back to a tree-trunk,
he waits in all patience for the pigeons to come to their favourite
trees. Or, having noted the part of the feeding-field where the birds
alight, he conceals himself in a hedge, or behind bushes arranged by
himself, so that from his butt he can shoot comfortably at any bird
within range. As birds are shot he sets them up as decoys. A stick
about nine inches long is put in the ground, and one pointed end
inserted in the pigeon's throat, the bird being set up in a life-like
way. Knowing that they are thirsty birds, especially when feeding on
the ripe, hard grain, he builds a hut near the pond where the pigeons
drink, and if he cannot see them on the ground or in the trees, creeps
out to stalk them, and the shots they give as they rise, diving and
turning in all directions, are such that no one need despise.
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